Dairy Processing

Increased safety, productivity and hygiene with dehumidification

The quality of dairy products quickly degrade if not kept cold in a dry environment during handling and storage. Munters dehumidifiers control the processing and storage environment keeping the air humidity low to protect products from microorganism growth and consequential product deterioration. Dehumidification is the process of drying air and removing the formation of condensation in the environment. In this way, Munters is adding to the hygienic level of the dairy production environment.

Spray drying dairy products

Spray drying a broad variety of dairy products is common practice all over the world. In hot and humid climates with big weather fluctuations, the spray dryer operator is continually faced with dryer performance issues. The changes in the ambient weather influence the conditions of the inlet air to the drying process and the consequences are low drying capacity, heavy process fluctuations and difficulties in drying the more sensitive products.

Munters offers dehumidification of the air for the drying process, thus providing constant dry inlet air to the spray dryer. The benefits for the spray drying process are numerous and, in fact, the same as most producers already experience during winter months, where the air in colder climates is already dry. With Munters desiccant dehumidifiers, dry winter conditions are maintained through summer and are also achievable in tropical climates.

In the spray drying process the drying air is in direct contact with the product during the drying process. When the air is always of the same dryness, the spray drying process no longer changes with the weather. Now, it is easier to control the process and product quality, avoid product sticking and dryer fouling, reduce powder loss and plant downtime is reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, the lower humidity allows for a much higher drying capacity because the dry inlet air has more capacity for moisture evaporated from the product.

Most powders are cooled after drying before conveying to storage and packing. This process is done by either pneumatic cooling or in fluid beds. In both processes, the dry powder is in direct contact with the air. Keeping air humidity at a fixed low level allows for sufficient product cooling and ensures the desired powder moisture level, as it avoids hygroscopic products to reabsorb moisture. As a result, powder caking and clogging are not likely to occur.

Munters patented Honeycombe™ rotor drying technology is capable of delivering air at very low humidity levels, far beyond what can be achieved with chilled water. With our technology, the air inside the drying and cooling processes is always kept away from condensation, adding to the hygienic level of production.

In spray drying processes, capacity achievement can be increased by many tens of percent and energy consumption significantly reduced after applying Munters dehumidification technology.

Drying after wet cleaning

After cleaning with water, room dry-out can be accelerated with dehumidified air and the time between cleanings extended. The resulting dry air is blown into the store, conveyor, silo or packing area, maintaining a dry environment for the product.